It's arguably a bit disingenuous to include though because I don't think many would argue Spurs put their all into the EL. The PL is their primary focus and that seemed fairly clear.
Top 4 race 2016/17
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
That's fine, although I doubt the club or manager would admit they didn't try in Europe because they are prioritizing the league.
For top 4 we could for sure. But I was still thinking of winning the league, not that I think that is likely at this point, but there is still a very slim chance and I would hate to discount that as a possibility. 87 is still in the realm of points good enough to win.
Yeah that would be next to impossible unless Chelsea and the other top four had a massive crash in form.
I'm pretty confident we will finish third. Maybe even second.
Top 4 will be Chelsea/City/Arsenal/United
Liverpool are done & dusted I think while Spurs will eventually bottle it as usual. Only a matter of time now.
Liverpool are done & dusted I think while Spurs will eventually bottle it as usual. Only a matter of time now.
Yeah think so too. However, this might be the season when Arsenal run out of luck and the fourth spot god abandons them. I have a feeling they will miss out this year and Wenger will leave.
I did not think we looked tired.
Even now we still have not used the entire squad fully.
The Rostov ties will be tricky because of distance and by what Jose says, are a decent side hard to break down.
We still have players who can put a decent shift in the coming matches and have been well rested.
Rooney Darmain Young Jones TFM Tuanzebe Bastian Shaw Fellani Blind Young
Of the 3 spots available Chelsea being champions, City look certs. Spurs look decent in the league. So we have United Arsenal and Liverpool.
It will something for Arsenal to miss out.
So really two spots from United, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool- will not make it I feel looking at their form and fixtures
Arsenal- have not looked all that impressive
Spurs - decent fixtures and they look strong. will they bottle it?
United -decent fixtures but fixture pile up.
I'll go for the usual suspects.
Chelsea - Champions
City
United
Arsenal
Thats my top 4 finish.
Even now we still have not used the entire squad fully.
The Rostov ties will be tricky because of distance and by what Jose says, are a decent side hard to break down.
We still have players who can put a decent shift in the coming matches and have been well rested.
Rooney Darmain Young Jones TFM Tuanzebe Bastian Shaw Fellani Blind Young
Of the 3 spots available Chelsea being champions, City look certs. Spurs look decent in the league. So we have United Arsenal and Liverpool.
It will something for Arsenal to miss out.
So really two spots from United, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool- will not make it I feel looking at their form and fixtures
Arsenal- have not looked all that impressive
Spurs - decent fixtures and they look strong. will they bottle it?
United -decent fixtures but fixture pile up.
I'll go for the usual suspects.
Chelsea - Champions
City
United
Arsenal
Thats my top 4 finish.
City look "certs" until they have to play anyone half decent, no way have they guaranteed top four and are as much in the picture as the rest of the teams fighting. Arsenal and Liverpool both look awful, would not surprise me at all if both dropped out come seasons end. However top four in the end I think will be Chelsea, Tottenham, City and United.
Liverpool losing yesterday is a big chance for us to finally get out of that 6th spot. I'd thought that the game in hand might cost us - but considering that game is against City - we should anyway look at it as a bonus.
With Arsenal and Liverpool playing next - this could be a great opportunity for us to get 3 points, and relegate one of those 2 teams to 6th. I hope they draw and we can go level on points with Arsenal and 1 point above Liverpool. Arsenal's game in hand is Southampton and if they play anything like the cup final - it could be a tough one for Arsenal.
With Arsenal and Liverpool playing next - this could be a great opportunity for us to get 3 points, and relegate one of those 2 teams to 6th. I hope they draw and we can go level on points with Arsenal and 1 point above Liverpool. Arsenal's game in hand is Southampton and if they play anything like the cup final - it could be a tough one for Arsenal.
Would love to see them wobble, but Chelsea are genuinely too far ahead right now and don't look as fallible as the teams that have let leads slip in the past (Newcastle, Arsenal and even us in that horrible 8-point goof). So, that's Chelsea done.
City - they've had a decent run, but their defence looks shot and they're a shambles against teams that have a go at them. Given the run we're on, I really do fancy us to nick the return game this time around (last time too, we fluffed a bunch of chances, though they did deserve the win).
Spurs - well, they're Spurs! They have it well within their capabilities to bottle it and let's not forget that Pochettino's teams routinely fade massively in the run-in. So while there are tons of people saying they look good, well, last season they went from potential title-winners to finishing third! Something that didn't even seem likely with 3 games to go. So, I've got them down for a bottle-job. Whether they end 4th or 5th, I don't know, but they won't be in the top 2 come May.
Liverpool - hahaha. They're done. The Leicester game shows that their rut isn't about to end soon. Klopp can't seem to find a second system, regardless of opposition, time of the year, position in the game, players available etc. Managers like that will always be found out eventually in a tough and tight league and that's what's happening now. Frankly, they'll end up 6th I reckon and maybe even 7th if Koeman's Everton continue their run (best PPG in 2017 so far I think...so close to that).
Arsenal - they normally make it, but I think we're placing too much stock in history when assuming they'll end 4th. I sense a change and this could well be the season they drop out. Ozil doesn't look like he can be ar$ed to give it his all and Sanchez is off clearly. He seems to be playing for the shop-window to be honest, but if serious contact occurs before the season is out, could well throw in the towel and stop trying to carry a team that seems beyond caring. Who else have they got? Frankly, if Sanchez gets injured, that's them done.
With all this said, we do have a massive fixture crunch, but this should be normal for us. We've faced worse under Fergie and if we aim (like we should do, always) to be in for every trophy every year, this should be routine. SAF has managed such pile-ups brilliantly and I recall him saying that these are the times that bring the best out of the club (though he did have his moans about it too, just like Jose is doing now). I really believe though that a winning run in a pile-up is far preferable to being stuck playing once a week when you're not winning. Liverpool, for example, have a week to dwell on a thrashing by what is, for all purposes, a relegation-threatened club! We meanwhile, are basking in the glow of a trophy.
Final call:
1. Chelsea
2. United / City
3. City / United
4. Spurs (though as I said, Arsenal may just sneak it once again).
There. I've said it. We're going to end in the top 2 or 3rd at worst.
City - they've had a decent run, but their defence looks shot and they're a shambles against teams that have a go at them. Given the run we're on, I really do fancy us to nick the return game this time around (last time too, we fluffed a bunch of chances, though they did deserve the win).
Spurs - well, they're Spurs! They have it well within their capabilities to bottle it and let's not forget that Pochettino's teams routinely fade massively in the run-in. So while there are tons of people saying they look good, well, last season they went from potential title-winners to finishing third! Something that didn't even seem likely with 3 games to go. So, I've got them down for a bottle-job. Whether they end 4th or 5th, I don't know, but they won't be in the top 2 come May.
Liverpool - hahaha. They're done. The Leicester game shows that their rut isn't about to end soon. Klopp can't seem to find a second system, regardless of opposition, time of the year, position in the game, players available etc. Managers like that will always be found out eventually in a tough and tight league and that's what's happening now. Frankly, they'll end up 6th I reckon and maybe even 7th if Koeman's Everton continue their run (best PPG in 2017 so far I think...so close to that).
Arsenal - they normally make it, but I think we're placing too much stock in history when assuming they'll end 4th. I sense a change and this could well be the season they drop out. Ozil doesn't look like he can be ar$ed to give it his all and Sanchez is off clearly. He seems to be playing for the shop-window to be honest, but if serious contact occurs before the season is out, could well throw in the towel and stop trying to carry a team that seems beyond caring. Who else have they got? Frankly, if Sanchez gets injured, that's them done.
With all this said, we do have a massive fixture crunch, but this should be normal for us. We've faced worse under Fergie and if we aim (like we should do, always) to be in for every trophy every year, this should be routine. SAF has managed such pile-ups brilliantly and I recall him saying that these are the times that bring the best out of the club (though he did have his moans about it too, just like Jose is doing now). I really believe though that a winning run in a pile-up is far preferable to being stuck playing once a week when you're not winning. Liverpool, for example, have a week to dwell on a thrashing by what is, for all purposes, a relegation-threatened club! We meanwhile, are basking in the glow of a trophy.
Final call:
1. Chelsea
2. United / City
3. City / United
4. Spurs (though as I said, Arsenal may just sneak it once again).
There. I've said it. We're going to end in the top 2 or 3rd at worst.
Or maybe United will bottle it like they did last season when City were begging for someone to take 4th place. (Don't actually believe this, but it is just as likely as the spurs bottle argument IMO).
I usually put my money on a solid defence. And I believe that Man City and Liverpool will miss out. I think they are more likely to drop points against the lower places teams.
I usually put my money on a solid defence. And I believe that Man City and Liverpool will miss out. I think they are more likely to drop points against the lower places teams.
Sure is a huge relief to not be involved in the top 4 race right now, with some cushion between us and whoever is 2nd at whatever time. We did most of our work in that 13 game run.
Ideally, I'd love to see a top 4 of Chelsea, City, Spurs & United. I need to see strong English teams in competing in the CL and in later stages next season. I'm sick of the fawning over Spanish teams. Time to be a force in Europe again. Arsenal are useless in Europe and Liverpool are bottlers. Spurs are bottlers too but I think they're on an upward trend as a team and may get to the QF next year if they're serious so I'd give them that chance. City aren't a force in the CL historically but Pep is, so they'll make deep runs. Conte will feel the need to prove himself in the CL, I think we'll get at least a QF spot and maybe a SF spot. Jose is Jose, United till get to the later stages. Have to make it first though. I'd put some priority on winning the Europa League if I were Jose. A trophy you've never won before and an automatic CL spot.
Ideally, I'd love to see a top 4 of Chelsea, City, Spurs & United. I need to see strong English teams in competing in the CL and in later stages next season. I'm sick of the fawning over Spanish teams. Time to be a force in Europe again. Arsenal are useless in Europe and Liverpool are bottlers. Spurs are bottlers too but I think they're on an upward trend as a team and may get to the QF next year if they're serious so I'd give them that chance. City aren't a force in the CL historically but Pep is, so they'll make deep runs. Conte will feel the need to prove himself in the CL, I think we'll get at least a QF spot and maybe a SF spot. Jose is Jose, United till get to the later stages. Have to make it first though. I'd put some priority on winning the Europa League if I were Jose. A trophy you've never won before and an automatic CL spot.
Liverpool look shot. I really don't see them getting back into the top 4. Now, one of Arsenal or Spurs need to lose a few to clear the path for us. Arsenal are the most likely to be that team. If Sanchez decides to leave, his performance might drop a few levels which could be catastrophic for Arsenal as they are so dependent on him. What we have to do is keep our momentum going and win all our easy fixtures to keep the pressure on the other teams.
Liverpool vs Arsenal this Saturday should be fun. The desperation levels from both will be unreal.
I am still not sure of United's top 4 chances. Our tough games away to 3 of current top 5 are towards end of game and possibly will be played in a week's time. Apart from that we still have to play Chelsea and Everton. Lot depends on Europa run. If we are still in it come mid April, concentrating on Europa will be better. To get into top 4, we will need 2 teams from top 5 to go on really bad run as all of them except City are not going to have European fixtures after international break.
I don't trust Liverpool in the top, they are bound to get their act together so I think an Arsenal win or a draw would be the best result for us because it would tie us on points with Arsenal who we can take care of at their place whilst allowing us to overtake Liverpool. Another thing is if we stay tight on Arsenal they will eventually crack and we can look towards City and Spurs.
I think you lot are underestimating Arsenal here. I don't want them to make top 4 but I'm fully aware of their unique ability to put together amazing runs towards the end of the season to lock down top 4. They could very well do that again.
I'm not worried about Liverpool. They look jaded, all these sprints and extra distances that bore fruits in the early stages of the seasons were a recipe for disaster as the season continued. Mou was criticized for us not running much but with our hectic schedule there was not other way. We look tired as well but our game plan is not dependent on running like maniacs. If we have enough fuel in the tank we will comfortably over take Liverpool. I'm sure mentally wise we are a much stronger side than Arsenal. Quality wise I think Arsenal are marginally better and with them having fewer games to play to might still nick top four. Basically i think it's between us and Arsenal.
Still reckon we need 75 points to do it this season. Lots of unexpected points will be dropped, fixture list means very little during this period which has been proven time and time again over the years. Before beating Watford I had us down for a 5-1-1 record at home (16 points) and 4-2-1 away, which requires a 1-1-1 record against the likes of City, Arsenal and Tottenham away. A 9-3-2 record (with the win over Watford already in the bag) would give us exactly 75 points, which should prove sufficient to get 4th IMHO. Must win games are Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Swansea at home, while we need to beat Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Southampton and one of the competitiors as mentioned away. I think we could afford to drop points against Chelsea/Everton at home and we will most certainly not come away with nine points from the Etihad, Emirates and White Hart Lane.
With our Europa League fixture congestion, any unexpected results from our rivals is very welcome indeed. A draw at Anfield would be great at the weekend.
With our Europa League fixture congestion, any unexpected results from our rivals is very welcome indeed. A draw at Anfield would be great at the weekend.
Bit mean of Sky to call the match 'Premature Ejaculation Saturday'
Liverpool and Arsenal will not make it
Liverpool have ran out of steam
Arsenal have been playing poorly most of this season and I think Arsene's luck will run out this year.
Liverpool have ran out of steam
Arsenal have been playing poorly most of this season and I think Arsene's luck will run out this year.
The variety of opinion in here shows exactly how close it is going to be. 
My view if I had to right now would be Chelsea, City, Spurs & Arsenal (United to win Europa). I do think it'll be tight though, and it can all change with one result at the moment!
My view if I had to right now would be Chelsea, City, Spurs & Arsenal (United to win Europa). I do think it'll be tight though, and it can all change with one result at the moment!Somehow in the end Spurs will be out of the race. Dont think Pocchetino could handle pressure which will become much more heavier when April and May come.
Last year they were left behind by Arsenal dispite of owning a very safe gap. This year their performances in Europe were simply poor. Spurs seem always fragile when key matches come in decisive periods even if their opponents are weak teams. Last year top 4 race was about Leicester, Arsenal (Giroud was main striker), MC (Pellegrini's priority was CL), WH and VG-MU, this year Spurs must compete with tougher 5 teams with far better qualities and ambitions, there is no suprise they will soon explode themself under pressure
Last year they were left behind by Arsenal dispite of owning a very safe gap. This year their performances in Europe were simply poor. Spurs seem always fragile when key matches come in decisive periods even if their opponents are weak teams. Last year top 4 race was about Leicester, Arsenal (Giroud was main striker), MC (Pellegrini's priority was CL), WH and VG-MU, this year Spurs must compete with tougher 5 teams with far better qualities and ambitions, there is no suprise they will soon explode themself under pressure
Be handy if we could cut the goal difference vs Bournemouth and become level with Liverpool in that aspect (need to win 5-0). I still worry about fixture pileup and 4 of our last 5 games are away from home against tough opposition with Chelsea at home in the mix 3 games before then. We really need maximum points i feel in the games leading up to Chelsea at home just incase we draw or lose that so we have a bit of breathing room. I think if we get through the Rostov games into the next round then he may even need to decide to lay his eggs in that basket and go balls out to win it like Pool did last season.
Regarding Arsenal, it has become their ability when concerning making top 4 & finishing above Tottenham. It's not just luck. Every year we hear about how they might miss out top 4 by this time (February - mid March), then they bounce back and scrap the top 4 trophy along the annual St Totteringham's Day celebration. Tottenham is up second place playing 1 more game, but when the day comes they would adjust according to Arsenal standing. Therefore, if you're to say Arsenal not to make it, then Tottenham likely misses out too.
Honestly I wouldn't mind if Leicester get relegated - not at least due to their treatment of Ranieri.
However, if they stay in the PL due to wins over the likes of Citeh, Scousers & Co. I would also be fine with that.
However, if they stay in the PL due to wins over the likes of Citeh, Scousers & Co. I would also be fine with that.
How convenient for Jamie Vardy to suddenly remember how to score again - the very next game after Ranieri's sacking. LOLHonestly I wouldn't mind if Leicester get relegated - not at least due to their treatment of Ranieri.
However, if they stay in the PL due to wins over the likes of Citeh, Scousers & Co. I would also be fine with that.
Sometimes I really don't understand the mentality of these so-called 'professional' players. If I don't like my boss for whatever reason, I STILL carry on with my job and try my best!! That's what professional pride is all about!
However, I can't say I'm disappointed. Liverpool were fecked!! LOL
Finally we are going to be able to move up a league position, this has been a turning point in the race for the top four spots - not that we need it because we should be aiming to win the Europa League - nonetheless we should try to finish in the top three or top two (as high as we can) AND win as many trophies as possible!
Well done and thank you Foxes!!! LOL
1. Chelsea
2. United
3. City
4. Spurs
5. Everton
6. Arsenal
7. Liverpool
2. United
3. City
4. Spurs
5. Everton
6. Arsenal
7. Liverpool
Everton are on FIRE!!! They'll overtake 6th and 5th spot easily if they keep playing like this!
That would be incredible
although I think I might prefer it if Liverpool ended up 6th this season.Yep, this kind of mentality is simply disgusting but it happens quite often..
As you said, even if I don't like my boss - who made me a legend by the way (with reference to the Leicester players) - I have to try my very best as I still have a responsibility for the club/company I am working with and all parties associated with this entity (in this case fans etc.).
However, the coach is always the weakest part in this model and players rarely face any troubles because of a bad season.
They played with their best team in Europa.
Yep. See Hazard for details.
Well this wasn't the model at UTD when Fergie was in charge. The club backed him and would rather sell / axe players who were causing trouble. They couldn't destabilise the manager no matter how they tried. The likes of big time Charlie Paul Ince were cast out in the early days, and in later years we saw the same thing with Keane, Beckham, RVN, Stam. If you don't like the manager you can leave the club, don't try to get the manager axed!
I am seeing signs that the club is going to adopt a similar approach with Mourinho thus explaining the current Rooney situation, as well as the Memphis and Schweinsteiger situations. Mind you, Schweinsteiger is a big name player with huge status and influence in world Football but he couldn't do shit when Jose decided he was done.
That's quite simplistic take on the situation I am not defending Vardy or Leicester players but it seems like they are in no win position damned if they do and damned if they don't any improvement in their play they would be accused of stabbing their boss in the back and if they don't improve they would be considered the lost cause and letting the boss go would be seen as wrong decision they simply can't win can they.
Which is why for me Hazard can never be considered one of the world's best players.
It's not just silky skills and dribbling and all that nonsense. To be a true top player you also have to have the mindset of a real professional. A real professional is someone who is able to put footballing matters above personal matters, for example it is well known that Ronaldo had his problems with Jose but that did not cause him to just down tools and not score any goals for 7-8 months.
There are rumours that Hazard was having an affair with Eva Carneiro and that was the main cause of his beef with Jose. These are totally unsubstantiated rumours from tabloids, and no one has ever come out to confirm or deny them, but if true, Hazard would really have crossed a professional boundary there. Notwithstanding this, there is no excuse for someone like him to play like a pub league player for months, only to suddenly start scoring and assisting again, as if it was some kind of miracle recovery, the very moment Jose was sacked. It was disgraceful.
There is no way that a true top professional would behave like that. I don't care how many goals or assists or dribbles or scorpion kicks Hazard is capable of. If he can't even behave like a proper professional he will never be a true top player.
And this is also why if I were Jose Mourinho I would be doubly motivated to expose that treacherous shower of shite and knock them out of the FA Cup on their own ground, preferably with Mata scoring a hat trick to rub it in even more - and then do a crazy celebration running down the touchline just like he did at Old Trafford when his Porto team won.
Man utd:
Bournemouth H, Soton A, Boro A, Everton H, WBA H, Blunderland A, Chelsea H, Burnely A, Swansea H 48+18= 66
Liverpool:
Arsenal H, Burnely H, City A, Everton H, Bournemouth H, Stoke A, WBA A, Palace H, Watford A 49+12=61
Arsenal:
Liverpool A, Leicester H, WBA A, City H, West Ham H, Palace A, Boro A, Sunderland H, Spurs A, 50+9=59
City:
Sunderland A, Stoke H, Liverpool, H, Arsenal A, Chelsea A, Hull H, Soton A, WBA H, Boro A, 52+12=64
Spurs:
Everton H, Palace A, Soton H, Burnley A, Swansea A, Watford H, Bournemouth H, Leicester A, Arsenal H. 53+15=68
Looking at the fixtures until the end of April i actually think we and Spurs have the easiest run of games, while Pool, Arsenal and City have pretty nasty fixture lists. IMO, Unless Chelsea has a monumental collapse, Spurs will get second while the last two spots are up for grabs. We should preferably have a little gap down to fourth come May though, because then we play Arsenal and Spurs away, and i'd don't want those games to be "must wins"
Bournemouth H, Soton A, Boro A, Everton H, WBA H, Blunderland A, Chelsea H, Burnely A, Swansea H 48+18= 66
Liverpool:
Arsenal H, Burnely H, City A, Everton H, Bournemouth H, Stoke A, WBA A, Palace H, Watford A 49+12=61
Arsenal:
Liverpool A, Leicester H, WBA A, City H, West Ham H, Palace A, Boro A, Sunderland H, Spurs A, 50+9=59
City:
Sunderland A, Stoke H, Liverpool, H, Arsenal A, Chelsea A, Hull H, Soton A, WBA H, Boro A, 52+12=64
Spurs:
Everton H, Palace A, Soton H, Burnley A, Swansea A, Watford H, Bournemouth H, Leicester A, Arsenal H. 53+15=68
Looking at the fixtures until the end of April i actually think we and Spurs have the easiest run of games, while Pool, Arsenal and City have pretty nasty fixture lists. IMO, Unless Chelsea has a monumental collapse, Spurs will get second while the last two spots are up for grabs. We should preferably have a little gap down to fourth come May though, because then we play Arsenal and Spurs away, and i'd don't want those games to be "must wins"
Everton always cause us problems, especially away.
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You have Liverpool and arse losing the same game. Makes the rest of the post invalid